Printer-friendly pageSaturday, April 19, 2008
At least Southampton’s present manager sees some merit in a settled team, but in any case it would have been a surprise had he made changes after two encouraging performances. Surprisingly, Saturday’s opponents Burnley were less than a handful of Championship sides with nothing to play for, even at this late stage of the season. However, they were hardly likely to come to St. Mary’s and roll over. That said, an early home goal might have made for a relatively relaxing afternoon, but we don’t have the fire power at present to make good things happen.
For all their first half possession, Saints only called Jensen into action once whilst you sensed that the visitors’ attack was more likely to be incisive, given enough opportunities. The first came deep into first half added time, but Wright saved well. How the referee still managed to let the half continue for the resulting corner is unclear but it meant that Caldwell’s header for what proved to be the winning goal came near the end of the 48th minute of what was supposed to be a 47 minute half.
Who knows what would have happened had Saints equalised early in the second period? They very nearly did, but Wright-Phillips’ effort came back off the post.
We then had one of those frustrating and far too familiar matches when Saints tried hard, but failed to generate much excitement. John seems to be getting some of the blame for missed chances, but they didn’t look that clear to me, and it was only the late introduction of Dyer that gave much needed impetus to the attack.
Finally, in injury time, Safri launched a goal-bound shot, but Jensen saved at full stretch.
Saints could really do without having to get a result at West Bromwich, but there’s a good chance that they’ll need one if they are to be masters of their own destiny on what could be a very angry final day if things don’t work out.
LSSC Man of the Match: Andrew Surman, keeping his place at left back.
Nigel Pearson: "We are all bitterly disappointed and it is a tough result to take. I thought we deserved something out of that game because although we didn't play all that well we had a lot of chances, but you have to take them.
"I can't fault the players for their efforts and it is up to me to pick them up and keep their positivity to get something between now and the end of the season.
"For many people this result may seem like the club has hit a new low but it is all in our hands to stay in this division."
Southampton: Richard Wright, Jermaine Wright, Lucketti, Perry, Surman, Licka (Dyer 64), Safri, Idiakez (Viafara 79), Euell, Wright-Phillips (Saganowski 79), John.
Subs Not Used: Davis, Pericard.
Burnley: Jensen, Alexander, Caldwell, Carlisle, Jordan, Elliott, James O'Connor (Gudjonsson 64), McCann, Blake (Spicer 90), Akinbiyi, Cole (Mahon 79).
Subs Not Used: Kiraly, Duff.
Booked: Elliott, Alexander, Caldwell.
Goals: Caldwell 45.
Att: 21,762.
Ref: Paul Taylor (Hertfordshire).
